John 7:37-39, NKJV
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
1. The Source of the River
Ezekiel 47:1, NKJV
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.
1 Corinthians 3:16, NKJV
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Ezekiel 47:1, NKJV
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.
2. The Course of the River
Ezekiel 47:2-6, NKJV
He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
Ezekiel 47:8, NIV
He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the
Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea.
• It goes to the depressed places.
• It goes to the desert places.
• It goes to the dead places.
3. The Force of the River
Where the river flows…
• Trees will grow.
Ezekiel 47:6-7, NIV
Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number
of trees on each side of the river.
Psalm 1:1-3, NKJV
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
• Fish will go.
Ezekiel 47:9-10, NIV
Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Fruit will show.
Ezekiel 47:12, NIV
Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.
Psalm 1:3, NKJV
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Galatians 5:22-23, NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
• Health will glow.
Ezekiel 47:12, NIV
Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
Conclusion:
John 7:37, NKJV
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
Question: How thirsty are you?